Training Rules

Discrimination on the Basketball Team at Pennsylvania State University

Rene Portland had three training rules during her 26 years coaching basketball at Pennsylvania State University - no drinking, no drugs and no lesbians. Training Rules, examines how a wealthy athletic department, enabled by the silence of a complacent university, allowed talented athletes, thought to be gay, to be dismissed from their college team.

In 2006, student athlete Jennifer Harris, in conjunction with the National Center for
Lesbian Rights, filed charges against
Pennsylvania State University and basketball coach Rene Portland for discrimination
based on sexual orientation. This lawsuit inspired others whose lives were shattered
during Coach Portland's reign to come forward. The film focuses on these individuals
and investigates why organizations, established to protect these athletes have done so
little to end this common form of victimization.
Training Rules serves as a wake-up call to the many athletic departments nationwide that
still discriminate against their student athletes and coaches.

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